Cross berrywhich is sometimes also called lavender flower
in English because of its flowers, is a plant of Southern Africa. This
plant can be seen in a variety of habitats ranging from arid karoo,
coastal dune bush, evergreen montane forest and wooded grasslands.
Besides South Africa , this tree also grows in some other African
countries in Southern Africa.

Cross berry fruit

Description:

Shrub or small tree, sometimes scandent, up to
4.5(–7.5) m tall; young stems stellate-pubescent, sometimes densely so
or with long hairs.

The fruit are eaten by local people, particularly
children. In certain areas where the sugar content of the fruits is
high, they are collected and dried for later use. The dried fruits are
sometimes boiled in milk - a bush milkshake.

Foliage and developing
fruits of cross berry

Beer is also brewed from the ripe fruit
in certain areas. Other human uses of this species include using the
wood to make bows and spear shafts.

Cultivation:

Crossberry makes a decorative garden plant which is both frost- and
drought-hardy. It will grow well if well-watered and planted in good,
composted soil.

The cross-berry may be planted in either full sun or
shade. The root system is not aggressive and can therefore be planted
near buildings and paving. It is a "must-have" species in the garden to
attract butterflies and birds.

This species is best propagated from seed. Studies have
shown that seed which has passed through the gut of monkeys and baboons
germinates better than those collected from a tree. This is due to the
fact that the seeds chemical inhibitors have been broken down by the
animal's stomach acids. However germination is generally fairly good -
so perhaps it is not necessary to find a monkey to assist you with your
propagation attempts!